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For a child, the first five years last forever.

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POLLING: Rural Voters on Child Care and Head Start

Rural Parents have been hit particularly hard by child care challenges, with a significant number saying they’re having trouble finding work, are cutting back on basic necessities, and are putting off growing their families due to a lack of affordable options that meet their family’s needs. In a new poll from First Five Years Fund, Rural Americans say money is tight, and child care is a significant part of that burden.

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ABCS of Federal Early Learning and Child Care Funding Streams

Every year, millions of children who range in age from birth through five benefit from an array of federal child care and early learning care programs. While there are different early learning settings and certain programs have distinct requirements, together they form a mixed-delivery system that strives to support the care, education, and healthy development of children, prioritizing children from low-income families, parental choice, and children’s individual needs.

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Child Care and Early Learning State Fact Sheets

FFYF’s State Fact Sheets from 50 states and Washington, D.C. show how federal investments in child care support working parents, children, and the economy. Federal funding and programs benefit families nationwide and serve as the foundation for America’s child care and early learning system.

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Latest News
& Resources

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Resource

Employer-Provided Child Care Credit (45F): Overview

October 7, 2025

The Employer-Provided Child Care Credit, also known as 45F, is one way to address the needs of both working parents and employers. Under 45F, employers receive a tax credit for …

Resource

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP): Overview

October 7, 2025

Through flexible spending accounts, the DCAP exclusion gives parents flexibility to choose the type of care that best suits their needs — whether that’s a licensed child care center, home-based …

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Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC): Overview

October 7, 2025

With the average annual cost exceeding $13,000 per child, millions of American families struggle to afford quality child care. The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) provides some financial …

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